In a shocking case of wildlife trafficking, two men have been indicted for the killing and selling of approximately 3,600 birds, including bald and golden eagles, on the Flathead Indian Reservation and other areas in Montana. The federal grand jury indictment reveals a gruesome "killing spree" carried out by the accused individuals, who then proceeded to sell eagle parts on the notorious black market that has long plagued U.S. wildlife officials.

According to the indictment, the defendants, Simon Paul, 42, of St. Ignatius, Montana, and Travis John Branson, 48, of Cusick, Washington, worked in collaboration with other individuals to hunt and kill the birds. In one instance, they even used a dead deer as bait to lure an eagle that was subsequently shot. The indictment further states that the duo conspired with unnamed accomplices to sell various eagle parts, including feathers, tails, wings, and other valuable components, for substantial sums of cash within the United States and beyond.

Investigations uncovered text messages that showed Branson and others informing potential buyers about being "on a killing spree," indicating their intention to collect more eagle tail feathers for future sales. The indictment paints Paul as the "shooter" for Branson, underscoring their roles in the illegal operation.

The indictment reveals that this killing spree began in January 2015 and continued until 2021 near Ronan, Montana, situated on the Flathead Reservation, home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The exact number of eagles among the 3,600 birds killed was not specified in the documents.

Rich Janssen, director of the tribes' Natural Resources Department, expressed hope that a guilty verdict would serve as a warning to others engaged in such illegal activities. Janssen emphasized the cultural and spiritual significance of eagle feathers to tribal members, who utilize them in traditional dress and ceremonial practices.

The investigation into Paul and Branson involved tribal law enforcement, although it remains unclear why it took so long for the men to be charged. The black market for eagle parts has thrived due to the significant backlog of requests for permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Federally recognized tribes, including the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, are eligible to apply for permits, while individual tribal members can request eagle feathers and other parts from the National Eagle Repository. The extended waiting period has likely contributed to the rise of the illegal trade in eagle parts.

Rob Domenech, the executive director of Raptor View Research Institute, believes that addressing the permit application backlog could help combat the illegal trade, particularly for golden eagle feathers, which are in high demand. Domenech notes the abundance of raptors in the area where the alleged killings occurred, making it an attractive target for individuals seeking to profit from the sale of illegal eagle parts.

The unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles is a federal offense in the United States. The majestic bald eagle, the national symbol of the country, was once on the brink of extinction due to factors such as the pesticide DDT but has made a remarkable recovery after receiving federal protection. Golden eagles, however, face ongoing threats such as energy development, lead poisoning, and illegal shootings, which have left their population more vulnerable.

Previous cases of widespread illegal eagle killings prompted a federal investigation, leading to the convictions of 17 defendants across several states and two pawn shops. The current indictment against Paul and Branson is a reminder of the persistent challenge posed by the black market trade in eagle parts.

Both defendants have been summoned to appear for arraignments on January 8, 2023, in U.S. District Court in Missoula. It is unclear whether they have legal representation at this time. If proven guilty, they could face multiple counts of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles, along with charges of conspiracy and violating wildlife trafficking laws.